The pain in Spain will be worth it for mum

Published on Saturday 2 August 2008 11:07

A MORNINGSIDE accountant will walk 800 miles across Spain in a kilt in memory of his mother to raise money for charity.

David Nelson, 32, will begin a five-week hike from the most northerly to the most southerly points in Spain on August 15 to raise money for the fatal medical condition amyloidosis.

The aim of his journey is to raise awareness of amyloidosis, a condition where protein deposits affect organ (often kidney or heart) function and which is responsible for the deaths of approximately one in every 1000 people in the developed world.

There is currently no known cure. The walk will raise funds for the UK's only specialist centre for amyloidosis, the NHS National Amyloidosis Centre at University College London.

Mr Nelson, a former George Watson's College pupil, hopes to raise 25,000 to help fund research into the treatment of the condition and sees the trip as a particularly fitting tribute to his mother, Joan, who passed away last year at the age of 62 after a brave and long battle against the disease. A well-known Edinburgh resident and teacher at Darroch Secondary School (now part of Boroughmuir High School), she was also a keen walker.

Mr Nelson said: "I wanted to do something to pay homage to my mum. She loved the idea of travel and experiencing other countries and cultures so I know she would have been enthralled by the idea of crossing an entire country on foot."

Mr Nelson, whose accountancy work for Deloitte saw him move from Edinburgh to Madrid four years ago, plans to complete the 800-mile route in just 37 days, which will mean walking over 20 miles a day and taking a total of 2,034,400 steps – the equivalent of walking from Edinburgh to Geneva.

David explained: "Although the concept of walking for charity is well-established in the UK, it is almost unheard of in Spain. It made sense to try this route rather than a more traditional walk like John O'Groats to Land's End.

"It's going to be a bit different from Scottish walking. It is going to be so hot – up to 45 degrees – I just won't be able to walk at midday. I'll have to start at 5.30am when it is fresh then do things the traditional Spanish way with a big meal and a siesta, probably having a nap under a tree before setting off again in the evening."

The proud Scot plans to don a specially designed kilt in his family tartan. Produced by Geoffrey (Tailor) Kilts of Edinburgh, the lightweight kilt in Gunn hunting tartan uses 25 per cent less material than traditional kilts to withstand the soaring heat of the Spanish summer and even has pockets to avoid the need for a sporran.

• To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/walkacrossspain

• www.walkacrossspain.blogspot.com

THE FACTS

AMYLOIDOSIS is not a specific disease but the term for a group of conditions in which an abnormal substance called amyloid is deposited throughout the body.

Amyloid is a deposit of protein folded in a particular, abnormal way. When the proteins deposit in an organ in the body, the condition is called amyloidosis.

The collection of these abnormal proteins can interfere with the normal functioning of the nerves, heart, kidneys, tongue, intestines, liver, spleen, eyes, thyroid, skin and brain.

When the condition is widespread through the body, it is systemic amyloidosis.

There is currently no cure, but chemotherapy can suppress the production of new amyloid and transplantation of a damaged organ may be an option for some patients, although the amyloidosis can also affect the new organ.